Led lighting assembly with leds having different viewing angles

ABSTRACT

A merchandiser that includes a case that defines a product display area and that includes a frame having mullions. The mullions define at least one opening such that the food product within the product display area is accessible from the front of the case. The merchandiser also includes at least one shelf for supporting and displaying food product within the product display area, and a light assembly that is coupled to at least one of the mullions and that is positioned to illuminate the food product. The light assembly includes a first LED that has a first viewing angle and a second LED that has a second viewing angle that is smaller than the first viewing angle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 60/999,037 filed Oct. 15, 2007, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a refrigerated merchandiser thatincludes a light source. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a refrigerated merchandiser including a light emitting diode(LED) light source to illuminate a product display area.

In conventional practice, commercial businesses such as supermarkets andconvenience stores are equipped with refrigerated merchandisers. Thesemerchandisers may be open or provided with doors and are used forpresenting perishable food or beverages to customers while maintainingthe fresh food or beverages in a refrigerated environment. Somerefrigerated merchandisers have a narrow profile or footprint so thatthe merchandiser can be placed in the convenience store or supermarketstore without taking up a large area of the store. This narrow profileresults in a product display area having less depth compared to astandard-sized merchandiser. Typically, the refrigerated merchandisersinclude a light source that illuminates the product display area forbetter marketing of the food product and for higher visibility to thecustomers. However, the shelves inside the narrow profile merchandiserextend closer to the front of the product display area and therebycloser to the light sources creating undesirable lighting effects.

Conventional refrigerated merchandisers typically include a fluorescentlight source to illuminate the product display area. Some merchandisersinclude fluorescent light sources that are coupled to a mullion of themerchandiser to direct light generally toward the food product in theproduct display area. The effectiveness of fluorescent light sources isdependent on the temperature of the application where the fluorescentlight sources are used. In colder temperature conditions, thefluorescent light source has less light output than in application ofthe fluorescent light source in warmer temperature conditions. As aresult, fluorescent light sources that are coupled to the mullions canhave substantially reduced effective illumination of food product withinthe product display area.

The fluorescent light sources used in conventional merchandisers arerelatively large, and reduce the amount of space in the merchandiserthat can be allocated to displaying food product. In refrigeratedmerchandisers that have a narrow footprint, the large fluorescent lightsources further limit the space available in the product display areafor displaying food product. The close proximity of the relatively largemullion-mounted fluorescent light sources to shelves in the refrigeratedmerchandiser provide an imbalanced, uneven illumination of the productdisplay area.

Other refrigerated merchandisers include light emitting diode (LED)light sources that are mounted to a mullion of the merchandiser toilluminate the product display area. In narrow profile refrigeratedmerchandisers, the mullion-mounted LED light sources are placed in veryclose proximity to the shelves. The close proximity of the existing LEDlight sources to the shelves causes an uneven, imbalanced distributionof light into the product display area. The existing LED light sourcesin narrow profile merchandisers only effectively illuminate a portion ofthe food product on the shelves. This results in spotlighting some foodproduct on the shelves, and leaving other food product partially orsubstantially obscured due to the lack of uniform illumination of theentire product display area.

SUMMARY

The invention provides an improved merchandiser configured to illuminatea product display area effectively and efficiently. In one construction,the invention provides an improved light source that enables improvedillumination of the product display area and reduces the energy requiredto condition the products within the merchandiser.

In another construction, the invention provides a merchandiser thatincludes a case that defines a product display area and that includes aframe that has mullions. The mullions define at least one opening suchthat the food product within the product display area is accessible fromthe front of the case. The merchandiser also includes at least one shelffor supporting and displaying food product within the product displayarea, and a light assembly that is coupled to at least one of themullions and that is positioned to illuminate the food product. Thelight assembly includes a first LED that has a first viewing angle and asecond LED that has a second viewing angle that is smaller than thefirst viewing angle.

In yet another construction, the merchandiser includes a light assemblythat is coupled to at least one of the mullions and that is positionedto illuminate the food product. The light assembly includes a first LEDthat has a first viewing angle, and a second LED that has a secondviewing angle that is different from the first viewing angle. The firstLED and the second LED are positioned adjacent each other such that thefirst LED and the second LED are arranged in an alternating orientationalong a length of the light assembly.

In yet another construction, the invention provides a method ofilluminating food product supported by a merchandiser that includes acase that defines a product display area. The method includes providinga light assembly that is coupled to a mullion of the case. The lightassembly includes a first LED that has a first viewing angle and asecond LED that has a second viewing angle that is different from thefirst viewing angle. The method also includes partially illuminating theproduct display area by directing relatively diffuse light from thefirst LED into the product display area, and partially illuminating theproduct display area by directing a relatively pointed source of lightfrom the second LED into the product display area.

Aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of thedetailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary merchandiser.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mullion light assembly of themerchandiser of FIG. 1, including a housing, a lens cover, and LED lightsources.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the mullion light assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing and the LED light sources ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the housing and the LED light sources of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the lens cover of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the LED light sources of FIG. 5including wide viewing angle LEDs and narrow viewing angle LEDs.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of one of the wide viewing angle LEDs and oneof the narrow viewing angle LEDs of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end view of a housing and a LED light source of anothermullion light assembly of the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practicedor of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

FIG. 1 shows a merchandiser 10 for displaying food product (e.g., frozenfood, fresh food, beverages, etc.) available to consumers in a retailsetting (e.g., a supermarket or grocery store). The merchandiser 10includes a case 15 that has a base 20, side walls 25, a case top orcanopy 30, and a rear wall 35. At least a portion of a refrigerationsystem (not shown) can be located within the case 15 to refrigerate thefood product. In other constructions, a heating system can be locatedwithin the case 15 to heat the food product. The area partially enclosedby the base 20, the side walls 25, the case top 30, and the rear wall 35defines a product display area 40. The food product is supported onshelves 45 within the product display area 40.

The case 15 includes a frame 50 adjacent a front of the merchandiser 10.FIG. 1 shows that the frame 50 includes vertical mullions 55 that defineopenings 60, and doors 65 positioned over the openings 60. The openings60 and the doors 65 are configured to allow access to food productstored in the product display area 40. The mullions 55 are spacedhorizontally along the case 15 to provide structural support for thecase 15. Each mullion 55 is defined by a structural member that can beformed from a non-metallic or metallic material. A handle 70 ispositioned along an edge of each door 65 to move the door 65 between anopen position and a closed position.

Each door 65 includes a frame 75 that attaches a translucent member 80to the door 65 to allow viewing of the food product from outside thecase 15. The translucent member 80 can be formed from glass, oralternatively, from other materials that are substantially translucent(e.g., acrylic, etc.). In some constructions, the case 15 includes astandard profile or footprint that has a depth (e.g., 41 inches) definedbetween the rear wall 35 and the doors 65. Generally, in standardprofile cases, the mullions 55 are spaced apart a distance (e.g., 6inches) from ends of the shelves 45. In other constructions, the case 15may include a narrow profile or footprint to limit the area in theretail setting that is taken up by the merchandiser 10. In theseconstructions, the case 15 has a relatively shorter depth (e.g., 37inches) between the rear wall 35 and the doors 65 when compared with thedepth of standard profile cases. In the cases 15 that have a narrowprofile, the mullions 55 are spaced apart from the ends of the shelves45 a relatively shorter distance (e.g., 2 inches) when compared to thedistance between the mullions 55 and the shelves 45 in standard profilecases. Generally, the mullions 55 of the narrow profile cases 15 arelocated in very close proximity to the shelves 45.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a mullion light assembly 85 that can be attached toeach mullion 55 of the case 15 to illuminate the product display area40. The mullion light assembly 85 includes a housing or shell 90, atranslucent lens or cover 100, mirrors or specular members 105, andlight emitting diode (LED) light sources 110. The housing 90 can beattached to each mullion 55 using a clip or retainer 115, or anothersimilar fastener. The clip 115 can be coupled to the mullions 55 usingfasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.). As shown in FIG. 3, the clip 115includes sidewall portions 120 that define a recess 125.

FIGS. 3-5 show that the housing 90 is defined by an extruded body thatis formed from a high-impact material that is resistant to breakage. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, a first axis 130 passes through a middle of themullion light assembly 85 and divides the light assembly 85 into aleft-hand portion and a right-hand portion. The housing 90 extends alonga substantial length of each mullion 55, and is generally symmetricalabout the first axis 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the left-handportion is substantially a mirror image of the right-hand portion.

The housing 90 includes clip members 135 and attachment portions 140.The clip members 135 extend from sides of the extruded body to couplethe housing 90 to the sidewall portions 120. The attachment portions 140are disposed on each side of and extend from the extruded body.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the housing 90 also includes mirror portions145, light attachment portions 150, and extruded members 155. Each ofthe mirror portions 145 is disposed adjacent one light attachmentportion 150, and is formed as part of the extruded body. The mirrorportion 145 includes a first receiving portion 160, a second receivingportion 165, and a central portion 170 that interconnects the firstreceiving portion 160 and the second receiving portion 165. Each of thefirst receiving portions 160 is substantially “U”-shaped, and isdisposed on an outer end of the extruded body. The first receivingportion 160 on each end of the extruded body forms a slot 175 thatreceives a portion of one of the mirrors 105. The first receivingportions 160 further cooperate with the associated attachment portion140 to define a channel 180 that receives a respective end of the cover100, and that attaches the cover 100 to the housing 90. Each of thesecond receiving portions 165 is defined on an end of the mirror portion145 that is opposite the corresponding first receiving portion 160. Thesecond receiving portions 165 are further disposed adjacent the lightattachment portions 150.

The central portion 170 extends between the first receiving portion 160and the second receiving portion 165, and is positioned in closeproximity to or adjacent one of the light attachment portions 150. Asshown in FIG. 5, the central portions 170 are substantially planar, andare disposed substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the firstaxis 130. In other constructions, the central portions 170 may beangularly spaced from the first axis 130 at other angles.

FIG. 5 shows that the light attachment portions 150 are formed as a partof the extruded body, and define a stepped recess 185 that is adjacentthe central portion 170. A second axis 190 passes through an upperportion of each of the stepped recesses 185. The second axis 190 of eachof the light attachment portions 150 is angularly spaced from theassociated central portion 170, and defines a first angle α relative tothe first axis 130. In the illustrated construction, the first angle αis about 20 degrees. In other constructions, the first angle α can belarger or smaller than 20 degrees.

In some embodiments, the mullion light assembly 85 may include end capsthat are attached to the housing to limit accumulation of debris on themirrors 105 and the LED light sources 110. Generally, the end caps areremovable from the housing 90. The extruded members 155 define channels195 that are located on the extruded body adjacent and on an oppositeside from the light attachment portions 150. The end caps are attachedto the housing 90 within the channels 195 to cover the ends of thehousing 90.

FIG. 6 shows that the cover 100 is attached to the housing 90 to protectthe LED light sources 110 from debris or incidental contact. The cover100 includes obscured portions 200 disposed on ends of the cover 100,and a substantially clear or transparent portion 205 that extendsbetween the obscured portions 200. Light from the LED light sources 110is at least partially diffused or blocked by the obscured portions 200to obscure visibility of the LED light sources 110 from outside themerchandiser 10.

The mirrors 105 and the LED light sources 110 are generally directed atfood product in the product display area 40. FIGS. 3 and 5 show thateach of the mirrors 105 is attached to the housing 90 within the firstand second receiving portions 160, 165 and the central portion 170. Insome constructions, the mirrors 105 can be attached to the first andsecond receiving portions 160, 165 and the central portion 170 using anadhesive (e.g., epoxy, glue, etc.). The mirrors 105 are formed from areflective material (e.g., polished aluminum, polished stainless steel,chrome-plated steel, metallized polymer tape, etc.) to reflect lightfrom the adjacent LED light source 110 into the product display area 40without loss of luminescence. Generally, the reflectance capacity of themin-ors 105 is above about 70 percent reflectance to reflect asubstantial amount of light from the LED light source into the productdisplay area 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, each mirror 105 extends a substantial length of themullion light assembly 85, and is substantially flat to conform to thesubstantially planar central portion 170. In some constructions, themirrors 105 can have curved mirror surfaces that reflect light into theproduct display area 40.

Each LED light source 110 is in electrical communication with the case15 through the mullion 55. FIGS. 3-5 show that the LED light sources 110are attached to the housing 90 within the stepped recesses 185 of thelight attachment portions 150, and include circuit boards 210 thatdistribute power to and dissipate heat from the LED light sources 110.The circuit boards 210 are made from conventional printed circuit boardmaterial without being metal clad. In some constructions, the circuitboards 210 are formed without an aluminum heat sink. Power is suppliedto the LED light sources 110 from a power supply (not shown).

The LED light source 110 that is attached to housing 90 on the left ofthe first axis 130 (as viewed in FIG. 5) is directed in a firstdirection away from the mullion 55 toward the product display area 40 onthe left of the mullion 55. The LED light source 110 that is attached tothe housing 90 on the right of the axis 130 (as viewed in FIG. 5) isdirected in a second direction that is symmetrically opposite the firstdirection (i.e., away from the mullion 55 toward the product displayarea 40 on the right of the mullion 55). Generally, a portion of thelight from each LED light source 110 is directed toward the productdisplay area 40, and another portion of the light is directed toward thecorresponding mirror 105, where the light is reflected and redirectedtoward the product display area 40. A small portion of the light fromeach LED light source 110 may be blocked by the obscured portions 200such that it does not get directed toward an individual reaching intothe product display area 40. The mirrors 105 and the LED light sources110 cooperate to define a multi-directional light assembly 85.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the LED light sources 110 alsoincludes first LED packages 215 and second LED packages 220. The firstand second LED packages 215, 220 are spaced at predetermined distancesalong the circuit board 210. For example, the first and second LEDpackages 215, 220 can be defined by an area of about 0.5 inches by 0.5inches. Each LED package 215, 220 can include any number of LEDs. Insome constructions, each LED package 215, 220 can include three LEDs. Inother constructions, each LED package 215, 220 may include fewer or morethan three LEDs. In still other constructions, the LEDs in each LEDpackage 215, 220 can be low current LEDs (e.g., 15 mA). The quantity ofthe LEDs is determined by the lighting necessary to illuminate theproduct display area 40. In constructions where the LED packages 215,220 contain more than a single LED, the LEDs within each LED package215, 220 can be the same or different-colored LEDs.

The first LED packages 215 and the second LED packages 220 are arrangedin and define an alternating pattern along the length of the circuitboard 210. As viewed in FIG. 7, a first LED package 215 is disposed onthe left-most end of the circuit board 210. Moving from left to right onthe circuit board 210 (as viewed in FIG. 7), a second LED package 220 isdisposed adjacent and to the right of the first LED package 215.Continuing to the right, another first LED package 215 is disposedadjacent the second LED package 220. As illustrated in FIG. 7, everyother LED package along the length of the circuit board is a second LEDpackage 220. Thus, every other LED package that is not a second LEDpackage 220 is a first LED package 215. In other words, the alternatingarrangement of the LED light sources 110 positions a second LED package220 between two first LED packages 215.

Other arrangements of the first and second LED packages 215, 220 arealso possible, and considered herein. For example, the pattern ofalternation between the LED packages 215, 220 along the length of thecircuit board 210 may be: (i) a consistent pattern of equal LED packages(e.g., one by one, two by two, or any other consistent pattern repeatingthe same number of LED packages 215, 220 in series); (ii) a consistentpattern of unequal numbers of LED packages (e.g., one by two, two bythree, or any other consistent pattern repeating the same unequal numberof LED packages 215, 220 in series); and an inconsistent pattern ofequal and/or unequal numbers of LED packages.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, a third axis 225 passes through acenter of each LED package 215, 220. The third axis 225 is defined as azero axis along which light from the LED package 215, 220 is generallydistributed outward from the housing 90 into the product display area40. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the third axis 225 is substantiallyperpendicular to the second axis 190, and is further angularly spacedfrom the horizontally disposed central portion 170.

Generally, the first LED packages and the second LED packages caninclude the same or different LEDs. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a lens 230is coupled to each of the second LED packages 220 to narrow the viewingangle of the second LED packages 220. In some constructions, the lens230 is formed from a clear epoxy resin that has a high lighttransmittance value. In other constructions, the lens 230 can be formedfrom a hard silicone-based material. In still other constructions, thelens 230 may be formed from a plastic (e.g., polycarbonate).

FIG. 8 shows that the first LED packages 215 include a first viewingangle θ, and that the second LED packages 220 include a second viewingangle β. The first viewing angle θ is a wide viewing angle that isdefined as the full angle at which the brightness of the first LEDpackage 215 is half of the brightness directed from the center of theLED package 215 (i.e., the brightness along the third axis 225). Inother words, the brightness within the first viewing angle θ is at leastfifty percent of the brightest light, which is directed along the axis225, while the brightness of the light outside the first viewing angle θis less than fifty percent of the brightest light. A fourth axis 235defines an angle relative to the third axis 225 at which the brightnessof the first LED package 215 is one-half of the brightness of the firstLED package 215 that is distributed along the third axis 225. The anglebetween the third axis 225 and the fourth axis 235 is approximatelyequal to one-half of the first viewing angle θ. In some constructions,the first viewing angle θ is between about 120 degrees and 140 degrees.In other constructions, the first viewing angle θ can be between about90 degrees and 180 degrees. Other angles for the first viewing angle θare also possible, and considered herein.

The second viewing angle β is a narrow viewing angle. Similar to thefirst viewing angle θ, the second viewing angle β is defined as the fullangle at which the brightness of the second LED package 220 is half ofthe brightness directed from the center of the LED package 220 (i.e.,the brightness along the third axis). In other words, the brightnesswithin the second viewing angle β is at least fifty percent of thebrightest light, which is directed along the axis 225, while thebrightness of the light outside the second viewing angle β is less thanfifty percent of the brightest light. A fifth axis 240 defines an anglerelative to the third axis 225 at which the brightness of the second LEDpackage 220 is one-half of the brightness of the second LED package 220that is distributed along the third axis 225. The angle between thethird axis 225 and the fifth axis 240 is approximately equal to one-halfof the second viewing angle β. In some constructions, the second viewingangle β is between about 20 degrees and 40 degrees. In otherconstructions, the second viewing angle β can be between about 5 degreesand 60 degrees. Other angles for the second viewing angle β are alsopossible, and considered herein.

Generally, the relatively narrow or smaller viewing angle β of thesecond LED packages 220, as compared to the viewing angle θ,concentrates or focuses the light produced by the LEDs in the second LEDpackages 220. The more concentrated light of the second LED packages 220increases the brightness of the LED packages 220 closer to the thirdaxis 225. The increased brightness allows the relatively narrow, brightlight produced by the second LED packages 220 to be distributed over arelatively long distance. In some constructions, the increasedbrightness of the second LED packages 220 closer to the third axis 225creates a substantially pointed source of light.

FIG. 9 shows another construction of a mullion light assembly 250 thatcan be used on the merchandiser 10 adjacent an end of the case 15.Except as described below, the mullion light assembly 250 is similar tothe mullion light assembly 85 described with regard to FIGS. 2-8, andcommon elements are given the same reference numerals. As illustrated inFIG. 9, an axis 255 divides the mullion light assembly 250 into aright-hand portion and a left-hand portion.

The mullion light assembly 250 includes the mirror 105, the LED lightsource 110, a housing 260, and a translucent cover 265 that can beattached to the housing 260. The housing 260 is defined by an extrudedbody that can be attached to the interior side of each end mullion 55using a clip 270 that has sidewall portions 275 that define a recess 280to attach the housing 260 to the mullion 55. The cover 265 is similar tothe cover 100, and includes an obscured portion 282, and a transparentportion 283.

The right-hand portion of the mullion light assembly 250 is generallythe same as the right-hand portion of the mullion light assembly 85described with regard to FIG. 4. Specifically, the right-hand portion ofthe housing 260 is substantially similar to the right-hand portion ofthe housing 90, except that the extruded members 155 are located indifferent positions. For example, one extruded member 155 is positionedadjacent and opposite the clip member 135 and the attachment portion 140on the right-hand portion of the housing 265. The left-hand portion ofthe housing further defines an attachment portion 285 that attaches thecover 265 to the housing 260. The other extruded member 155 is locatedadjacent and opposite the attachment portion 285 on the left-handportion. The extruded members 155 can be located anywhere on the housing260 as long as end caps of the mullion light assembly 250 can beattached to the ends of the housing 260.

The mirror 105 is attached to the housing 260 within the first andsecond receiving portions 160, 165, and is only located on one side ofthe housing 260 due to the mullion light assembly 250 being located onthe end of the case 15. The LED light source 110 is attached to thehousing 260 within the stepped recess 185 of the light attachmentportion 150, and a portion of the light from the LED light source 110 isaimed directly at the product display area 40. Another portion of thelight from the LED light source 110 is directed at the mirror, wherelight is reflected into the product display area 40.

In operation, the opposed, multi-directional mullion light assembly 85uniformly illuminates the product display area 40 while beingsubstantially hidden from view. A first portion of the light directedfrom the LED light source 110 that is coupled to the housing 90 withinthe left-hand stepped recess 185 directly illuminates the productdisplay area 40 to the left of the mullion 55. A second portion of thelight directed from this LED light source 110 is reflected by the mirror105 in a direction that is also generally toward the product displayarea 40 to the left of the mullion 55. Similarly, a first portion oflight directed from the LED light source 110 that is coupled to theright-hand stepped recess 185 directly illuminates the product displayarea 40 to the right of the mullion 55. A second portion of lightdirected from this LED light source 110 is reflected by the mirror 105in a direction that is also generally toward the product display area 40to the right of the mullion 55.

The first LED packages 215 direct light substantially uniformly over thefirst viewing angle θ toward the shelves 45 so that food product on theshelves 45 can be generally illuminated. The first viewing angle θ ofthe first LED packages 215 provides substantial illumination of foodproduct that is located adjacent and behind the mullions 55. The firstviewing angle θ further allows the first LED packages 215 to direct atleast partially diffuse light over a relatively wide viewing angle touniformly illuminate food product. In other words, the projection of thelight from the first LED packages 215 is generally wide and over arelatively short distance.

The second LED packages 220 direct light substantially toward foodproduct on the shelves 45 over the second viewing angle β. Generally,the relatively narrow viewing angle of the second LED packages 220 focusthe light toward the shelves to illuminate food product that is locatedadjacent a center of the shelves 45 between the mullions 55. The secondLED packages 220 generally distribute or direct light at food product onthe shelves 45 as substantially pointed sources of light when comparedto the relatively diffuse light distributed by the first LED packages215. In other words, the projection of the light from the second LEDpackages 220 is generally narrow and over a relatively long distance.

The alternating arrangement of the first LED packages 215 and the secondLED packages 220 substantially uniformly illuminates the product displayarea 40. By alternating the LED packages 215, 220, food product in therefrigerated merchandiser 10 can be effectively illuminated withouttaking up a large amount of space in the product display area 40. Themore diffuse, wide viewing angle source of light via the first LEDpackages 215 cooperate with the more direct, narrow viewing angle sourceof light via the second LED packages 220 to illuminate a the productdisplay area.

The mullion light assemblies 85, 250 can be used together or separatelywith other light assemblies (not shown) in the merchandiser 10 toilluminate the product display area 40. Use of low current LED packages215, 220 in each mullion light assembly 85, 250 provides substantialenergy savings. Generally, the overall power required to illuminate andto refrigerate the case 15 using the LED light sources 110 is lower thanthe power required by cases that use fluorescent light sources. The lowcurrent LED light assemblies 85, 250 also can be used to replaceexisting fluorescent of existing merchandisers to provide similarillumination of the product display area 40 via more economical means.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A merchandiser comprising: a case defining a product display area andincluding a frame having mullions defining at least one opening suchthat the food product within the product display area is accessible fromthe front of the case; at least one shelf for supporting and displayingfood product within the product display area; and a light assemblycoupled to at least one of the mullions and positioned to illuminate thefood product, the light assembly including a first LED having a firstviewing angle and a second LED having a second viewing angle that issmaller than the first viewing angle.
 2. The merchandiser of claim 1,wherein the light assembly further includes a cover disposed adjacentthe first LED and the second LED, and wherein the cover includes atleast one obscured portion such that the visibility of light from thefirst LED and the second LED from outside the case is partiallyobscured.
 3. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the light assemblyfurther includes at least one reflective element positioned adjacent thefirst LED and the second LED such that at least a portion of light fromthe first LED and the second LED is reflected by the reflective elementinto the product display area.
 4. The merchandiser of claim 1, whereinthe first viewing angle is between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees. 5.The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the second viewing angle is betweenabout 5 degrees and 60 degrees.
 6. The merchandiser of claim 1, whereinthe first LED is directed in a first direction away from thecorresponding mullion generally toward the product display area, andwherein the second LED is directed in a second direction substantiallysymmetrically opposite the first direction and generally toward theproduct display area.
 7. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the lightassembly includes at least one circuit board coupled to the first LEDand the second LED, and wherein the circuit board is operable todissipate heat from the first LED and the second LED without being metalclad.
 8. The merchandiser of claim 1, further comprising a lens coveringthe second LED to narrow the viewing angle of the second LED.
 9. Themerchandiser of claim 8, wherein the lens is formed from at least one ofan epoxy resin, a hard silicone-based material, and plastic.
 10. Themerchandiser of claim 1, wherein the first LED is operable to directrelatively diffuse light into the product display area, and wherein thesecond LED is operable to direct a substantially pointed source of lightinto the product display area.
 11. The merchandiser of claim 10, whereinthe relatively diffuse light from first LED is operable to illuminatefood product that is located adjacent and behind the correspondingmullion, and wherein the substantially pointed source of light from thesecond LED is operable to illuminate food product that is locatedadjacent a center of the shelf between the mullions.
 12. A merchandisercomprising: a case defining a product display area and including a framehaving mullions that define at least one opening such that the foodproduct within the product display area is accessible from the front ofthe case; at least one shelf for supporting and displaying the foodproduct within the product display area; a light assembly coupled to atleast one of the mullions and positioned to illuminate the food product,the light assembly including a first LED having a first viewing angle,and a second LED having a second viewing angle that is different fromthe first viewing angle, the first LED and the second LED positionedadjacent each other along a length of the light assembly.
 13. Themerchandiser of claim 12, wherein the light assembly further includes acircuit board, and wherein the first LED and the second LED arepositioned adjacent each other along the length of the circuit board.14. The merchandiser of claim 13, wherein the circuit board is operableto dissipate heat from the first LED and the second LED without beingmetal clad.
 15. The merchandiser of claim 12, further comprising a lenscovering the second LED to define the second viewing angle of the secondLED.
 16. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is one of aplurality of first LEDs and the second LED is one of a plurality ofsecond LEDs, and wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the pluralityof second LEDs are arranged in an alternating orientation defined by aconsistent pattern of equal quantities of the plurality of first LEDsand the plurality of second LEDs.
 17. The merchandiser of claim 12,wherein the first LED is one of a plurality of first LEDs and the secondLED is one of a plurality of second LEDs, and wherein the plurality offirst LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged in analternating orientation defined by a consistent pattern of unequalquantities of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of secondLEDs.
 18. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is one ofa plurality of first LEDs and the second LED is one of a plurality ofsecond LEDs, and wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the pluralityof second LEDs are arranged in an alternating orientation defined by aninconsistent pattern of equal quantities of the plurality of first LEDsand the plurality of second LEDs.
 19. The merchandiser of claim 12,wherein the first LED is one of a plurality of first LEDs and the secondLED is one of a plurality of second LEDs, and wherein the plurality offirst LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged in analternating orientation defined by an inconsistent pattern of unequalquantities of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of secondLEDs.
 20. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the light assemblyfurther includes a cover disposed adjacent the first LED and the secondLED, and wherein the cover includes at least one obscured portion suchthat the visibility of light from the first LED and the second LED fromoutside the case is partially obscured.
 21. The merchandiser of claim12, wherein the light assembly further includes a reflective elementpositioned adjacent the first LED and the second LED such that at leasta portion of light from the first LED and the second LED is reflected bythe reflective element into the product display area.
 22. Themerchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first viewing angle is larger thanthe second viewing angle.
 23. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein thefirst LED is directed in a first direction away from the correspondingmullion generally toward the product display area, and wherein thesecond LED is directed in a second direction substantially symmetricallyopposite the first direction and generally toward the product displayarea.
 24. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED isoperable to direct relatively diffuse light into the product displayarea, and wherein the second LED is operable to direct a substantiallypointed source of light into the product display area.
 25. Themerchandiser of claim 24, wherein the first LED is operable toilluminate food product that is located adjacent and behind thecorresponding mullion, and wherein the second LED is operable toilluminate food product that is located adjacent a center of the shelfbetween the mullions.